The old thinking in our industry was all about gaining leverage and controlling the supply chain. Increasingly, however, value is created through networks where partners share data, code, and skills; where communities of businesses create value and anti-fragility together. We should move away from transactional relationships in favour of deeper partnerships that bring greater agility and accountability.

Thought leaders are the opinion leaders and the go-to people in their field of expertise. They’re trusted sources who move and inspire people with innovative ideas. Organizations that can cultivate thought leadership from within their teams have a strategic advantage. However, in my research on talent development and empowerment and from my work in the field, I feel the importance and cultivation of thought leadership is not getting the focus it should have.

Towards the end of 2018 I designed a team empowerment day for the Tommy Hilfiger E-commerce team, in request of their Director. Goal was to inspire and empower the team do act and own a better business partner position and attitude towards other stakeholder and the business. I involved MMA fighter Denise Kiehlholz to kick some ass.

The fashion industry is going through a transition from analog to digital. 3D clothing will soon become a mainstream consumer pastime. Technological advances allow those without 3D modeling skills and software to digitally style their own outfits. Be aware: Digital fashion is going to be as big as retail. It amazes me to see how very few established fashion brands are anticipating on this development.

Some apparel, fashion, and luxury companies won’t survive the current crisis; others will emerge better positioned for the future. If ever there was a time to turbocharge digital, it is now. It’s important to understand that digital transformation starts with empowering your employees with a digital mindset.

Inspire and update the HR management team of Bijenkorf on the influence of tech on HR, future talent connection and acquisition scenario's.

For the Women in Tech Regatta program - an initiative by Melody Biringer, I curated and presented a Future Fashion panel talk in September 2019.

Fashion education can shift the mindset to realign and refocus for the future of fashion. Next level fashion education is about an agile curriculum and involving the business. Only by teaming up with the business side, can the fashion industry face the challenges and establish a digital and sustainable mindset.

Disasters bring out the best in people. The current disruption and economic standstill has put a strong call on me to consider what concrete steps I can take right now to serve my network.

What will be your own position and brand in the fashion industry? It is not only what you learn and all the information you have gathered. What is your core talent and competence to make a contribution to the fashion eco system?

The evidence is clear that companies that can effectively recruit and manage a diversity workforce have a clear competitive advantage.

“Sometimes an internal struggle is going on due to various ambitions. On one hand there is the need to make money which in turn allows me the freedom to explore my fantasy and creativity. I feel gratitude towards both.

‘Gaming on the rise: Insights for business and parenting’ Koen Schobbers kreeg als eerste esporter in 2017 de topsport status van het AMC om zijn Geneeskunde studie te kunnen combineren met zijn professional gaming carrière. Met dertien jaar ervaring in gaming, waarvan elf als professional gamer, is hij een bekende influencer in de esports markt. Koen is anchorman van het programma ’Inside esports’ op FOX-Sports, esports expert van NOS Langs de Lijn en stichtend lid van de atleten commissie van de Internationale Esports Federatie. Tegenwoordig is Koen een belangrijke speler op het gebied van gaming & esports educatie, consultancy en hosting. Een van zijn projecten draait om het geven van educatie aan ouders en kinderen. Zijn boek ‘’Het Gamend Kind’’ zal begin volgend jaar uitkomen.

“The future of luxury will not only be in luxury goods, but also in luxury experiences” In this article I share examples of this approach and how this is completely related to the demands of candidates. Traditional recruitment needs to change: Let's build relationships, not collect resumes.

My new article about why I promote business ecosystems for our industry: Even with the best in-house talent and innovation process, companies cannot come up with the best ideas on their own. That’s why a complete innovation ecosystem requires collaboration with external innovators.

As a connection engineer, ISRID is dedicated to design inspirational group sessions and conversations to share thoughts and insights. Named after ISRID’s unique workspace with amazing view, in the Pontsteiger building at the IJ river - Amsterdam. Pontsteiger Sessies are boutique events. Per session, ISRID works with a curated guest list.

Is the fashion industry still an ecosystem for creativity and innovation and I wonder; do we still need designers

My explanation for being ‘woke' when reaching out for talent, is to be alert, socially and environmentally aware and well-introduced to trends and to act appropriately on that basis. So how could this reflect in your recruitment and talent acquisition strategy?

What will be the most coveted skill of the future? Creativity! Isrid on a mission to connect | Fashion Tech Series